Discussion
Discusses ethics in business and accounting. The notes to the financial statements describe the accounting principles used by a company to record its transactions. Accountants apply the convention of conservatism when analyzing economic events and recording them. The following is a definition of conservatism:
In the application of accounting principles and the development of estimates, accountants should be conservative. Given choices between various methods of recording economic events, accountants should apply principles that result in revenues being stated at lower amounts versus higher amounts and expenses being stated at higher amounts rather than lower amounts. In general, accountants should apply accounting principles that would tend to understate revenues, net income and assets versus overstating them.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 300 words (in total):
· What are some of the ethical issues of selecting accounting principles for a company?
· Do you believe accountants have been properly conservative in recent years with financial statement presentation?
· Discuss one underlying accounting principle or concept (i.e. going concern) and why it is important for financial statement users.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.